Cubs Close in on Deal with Veteran Pitcher Lance Lynn
The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of adding a familiar face to their pitching staff. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, veteran right-hander Lance Lynn is in negotiations with the Cubs on a one-year contract.
Nightengale posted the following update on social media:
“The Chicago Cubs, looking for starting rotation depth, have now entered negotiations with veteran Lance Lynn on a one-year, MLB contract.”
If finalized, the deal would mark a return to Chicago for Lynn, who previously spent parts of three seasons with the White Sox.
Lynn Brings Experience to Cubs Rotation
While there had been speculation earlier in the offseason that Lynn might transition into a bullpen role, Nightengale’s report suggests the 36-year-old will remain a starter.
A seasoned veteran with 13 years in the majors, Lynn has pitched for six different teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, White Sox, and most recently, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over his career, he has compiled a 143-99 record with a 3.74 ERA.
Lynn was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2021, helping lead them to a playoff berth. He posted a 25-22 record with a 4.23 ERA during his time on the South Side before being traded to the Dodgers last season as part of the White Sox’s roster teardown.
After finishing 2023 in Los Angeles, Lynn returned to St. Louis last season, going 7-4 with a 3.84 ERA as the Cardinals finished tied for second in the NL Central.
White Sox Continue Overhaul
Lynn’s departure from the White Sox was just one of many moves in the team’s ongoing rebuild. In 2023, Chicago dealt away Lucas Giolito, Joe Kelly, Reynaldo López, and Jake Burger, followed by an offseason that saw Dylan Cease, Gregory Santos, and Aaron Bummer shipped out. The organization continued its roster purge this year, moving left-hander Garrett Crochet and potentially still looking to trade Luis Robert Jr.
Now, Lynn looks to begin a new chapter with the Cubs, who hope his veteran presence can stabilize their pitching staff as they push for contention in the NL Central.
